Meet the Artist ~ Ray & Amy Bridewell

I had the opportunity to interview jewelry artists, Ray and Amy Bridewell, who will be sharing their creative skills at Summerfair this weekend.

How long have you been making jewelry?

In 2004 we started our “line,” and it has changed a lot over the years. It began as simply shaped stones set in silver wire, now we use professional grade saws, and learned some lapidary and silversmithing skills.

How did you get started?

Ray has a ceramics background (BFA NKU 1999), and was growing two dimensional crystals on sculptural pots. His interest in crystallization led him to more research(plus breaking a lot of pottery) and experimentation in three dimensional growth, using raw elements( zinc, titanium, lithium, quartz) to foster crystal patterns encased in gem quality quartz. I thought the crystals he was growing were rather precious and saw them as sculptural jewelry,and joined our business full time in 2007.

How long does the process take for you to create a piece of jewelry?

From Dust(elements) to Jewelry is around one month.

What inspires you?

Nature. Birdwatching. History. Science. Cycling Rte 8 along the Ohio. Remembering our most recent trip to the Smithsonian Art/American Art Museum and oh! The things we saw!

When did you decide to make your dream of doing art as a profession full time?

Ray Graduated NKU and began immediately, traveling to Art Fairs with his Crystalline Pottery.

What obstacles have you overcome to live your dream as an artist?

Fear is a big one ! We are raising a family on this income! Ray 15, Brooklyn 11. They come along sometimes to shows.

What are some of your favorite places that you’ve visited/experiences that you have had on the road?

DC has so much to see,the kids loved it too, We,we’ve done a show on the Boardwalk inVirginia Beach, backing up to the ocean..it was a wonderful trip with the whole fam, and lucky enough to earn a spot in Walt Disney World’s Festival of the Masters, and the kids sure do like that show! we have done a bit of hiking (all over Ky Oh In), Kayaking with Manatees in western Florida , snorkeling in Key Largo when we had a show in Miami, and even Slough Slog into a Gator Hole in the Everglades.

We love coming home to Summerfair, appearing in our hometown makes the show super fun.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to pursue art as a career?

Marry for money.

What’s the best part of living your dream?

Bring what we make out to The People.. that’s what really matters, they way they love it is amazingly motivating.

We use raw elements to grow our stones at nearly volcanic temperatures…The organic elements are charged with energy…They find one another…beginning their life together, they stack, over and over, billions of times…until the formations are blooming in fans and flowers, frost and form…showing us their linear possibilities…When they are ready, they will speak…telling us stories of what they want to be…We work to reveal our best interpretation…Slabbing, cutting, polishing, designing, crafting, finishing… And now they are ready for you.

You can find out more about Bridewell Art from their website and facebook page.

Ray and Amy have given me a few gift cards to giveaway that can be used this weekend at Summerfair or online.

Would you like a one of a kind piece of unique jewelry for your own?

You can visit Ray and Amy at Summerfair from May 31 – June 2 at Red Booth 24 P

I’m giving away (2) $25 gift cards for Bridewell Art to be used at Summerfair

or

at their online store.

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To Enter

Comment by sharing what your favorite pieces of jewelry are to wear before 8pm on May 31,2013

*Bonus entries (comment separately for each one)

The Giveaway is now over. Congratulations to Dena and to Courtney Pies!

Become a fan of the adventure mom on facebook and comment here that you did.

Winner will be randomly selected by random.org and will be contacted by email and must respond within 24 hrs or a new name will be drawn. Must be 18 or older to enter. Winner cannot have won a previous giveaway in the past 30 days.

Disclosure: I was given gift cards for the giveaway. All opinions are my own.